Grass Planting To Be Expanded On Beachfront

DEERFIELD BEACH -- An experiment aimed at thwarting sand and sidewalk erosion on the beach with strips of grass will be expanded to include the area hardest hit by erosion.

City commissioners have agreed to spend $3,950 to place a 275-foot strip of sod on the beach, the third planting in the 13-month experiment.

Commissioner Joe Tractenberg said putting the latest planting where the erosion is worst would give a ``free chance to see the full effect of the grass.``

The new planting will run northward from the Cove Beach Club, at Southeast Fourth Street and Southeast 21st Avenue. At its northern end, it will connect to a strip planted in September that extends to Southeast Third Street.

The experiment began in May 1985, when a 100-foot section was planted at Southeast First Street and Southeast 21st Avenue. Tractenberg said he initiated the experiment as a way to beautify and protect the beach. Residents had opposed plans to plant sea oats or sea grape along the beach, because they were afraid it would ruin the view.

Tractenberg said the program`s goal is to control runoff from rainstorms that are blamed for eroding sand from the beach, and which, in turn, weakens and crumbles the sidewalk nearby.

If the latest planting also proves successful, Tractenberg said he hoped commissioners would agree to have grass planted along the length of the north beach. That would mean the grass would extend from the Cove Beach Club to the International Fishing Pier, a distance of 2,000 feet.

City Manager J. Eldon Mariott has estimated that planting the entire section would cost $27,000 and an additional $13,400 a year in maintenance.

Commissioners have said they will wait until they discuss the next fiscal year`s budget to consider Tractenberg`s proposal to put grass along the rest of the beach.